21 May, 2011

"When you're down and you're out and you're kicked in the guts; DO NOT GIVE UP. Believe in yourself. Believe in your team-mates. Believe in your friends. Believe in your family," - former Leinster Coach Matt Williams (above)

In what was quite probably the best Heineken European Cup Final ever; Leinster (almost literally) came back from the dead to defeat a previously unbeaten Northampton Saints at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff this evening.

It's difficult to recall a comeback as incredible as this in any sport. Leinster had trailed 6-22 at half-time and looked absolutely dead and buried. Memories come back of Liverpool Football Club's 0-3 half-time deficit to A.C. Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final when Liverpool so famously came back to draw 3-3 and win the resulting penalty shoot-out.

However; when you're being totally dominated physically, in a game as physical as rugby; as Leinster had been in the first half; well, it makes the half-time dressing room talk very, very difficult indeed. The question is; "Where do we go from here?" Well Leinster's answer was: "Smash Northampton off the pitch. When you're down and you're out and you're kicked in the guts; DO NOT GIVE UP. Believe in your team-mates, believe in your friends, believe in your family."

"It was an honour and a privilege to be at this game today. It takes a certain type of character to come back from 20 points behind in a game like this," - Denis Hickie (right)

Former Ireland international and Leinster star Denis Hickie stated: "It was an honour and a privilige to be at this game today. It takes a certain type of character to come back from 20 points behind in a game like this."

Bank of Ireland made awful decisions in recent years but won't regret deciding to be Leinster Rugby's sponsor

If you're ever wondering what the phrase "A game of two halves" means; then look up the archives of this game. This game can be put up there with anything in the history of Irish sport. Quite probably the GREATEST club rugby match of all time. Do yourself a favour; if you can get a tape of this match: Watch it. Even if you've watched the game already, watch it again.Bank of Ireland have made some terrible decisions in recent years; but bet they don't regret the decision to be the lead sponsor of Leinster Rugby now.